MAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualifying Criteria, Number of Attempts
Management Aptitude Test 2026 ( MAT )
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11 Sep '26
MAT eligibility criteria is graduation. However, before filling up the MAT application form, you must know the academic requirement as per your course. Know here the details of MAT eligibility criteria 2026 as prescribed by the AIMA.
MAT exam eligibility criteria has been prescribed by the AIMA. It is a set of academic requirements to be able to appear for the MAT exam. Since, MAT is an entrance exam for postgraduate programmes, the basic eligibility criteria is graduation.
There is no minimum score requirement for MAT but the AICTE mandates minimum 50% marks in Graduation for General category candidates and 45% for Reserved category candidates, for full-time MBA programmes. All MBA colleges accepting MAT score abide by the mandate, thus aspirants must make sure they have scored the minimum marks in graduation.
MAT score is accepted by over 800 B-schools across the country for admission to MBA/PGDM courses. Those who plan to take the MAT 2026 exam, must check the eligibility criteria before applying. AIMA conducts MAT exam in February, May, September and December. MAT September 2026 registration process is ongoing and the exam will be held on September 13 (PBT), September 20 (CBT).
Also Read: MAT 2026 application form and registration process
MAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates need only passing marks in graduation to be eligible for MAT. Check complete details of MAT eligibility criteria below:
MAT Exam Eligibility: Academic Qualification
- Candidates must have completed bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised Institute or University.
- Candidates appearing in the final year examination or awaiting result for Bachelor's degree are also eligible to appear for MAT 2026.
MAT Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit
There is no age limit to appear for MAT exam. However, since the academic qualification is graduation, the age of candidates is usually 20 and above.
MAT Criteria: Work Experience
Work experience is not a mandatory eligibility criteria for MAT. However, it carries extra weightage in selection process of MBA colleges accepting MAT score.
Also Read:
MAT Eligibility Criteria for Participating Institutes
As per the general MAT eligibility criteria fixed by the participating institutes, candidates should have a bachelor's degree and a valid MAT score. The B-schools specify eligible marks for the qualifying degree examination. Minimum requirement is 50 per cent aggregate for General category and 45 per cent aggregate for Reserved category.
Also Read: MBA colleges accepting MAT scores
MAT Exam Eligibility: Reservation Criteria
MAT or AIMA does not prescribe Reservation criteria for the entrance exam. The Reservation Policy is followed by score accepting colleges as specified by the participating colleges as per the Reservation Policy of the Government of India. Certain percentages of seats are reserved under quota.
MAT Reservation Criteria for SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates
Candidates belonging to the Reserved categories are eligible for admission in to MBA programme as per the quota percentage given below. Such candidates have to submit at the time of admission, respective caste/tribe certificate issued by the Government of India to get a seat through Reservation Policy.
| Category |
Seat Quota Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) |
15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes, Non-Creamy layer (NC-OBC) |
27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) |
10% |
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Commonly asked questions
No, IIMs do not accept MAT score for MBA Admission. They only accept CAT score for admission to their MBA/PGP programmes. However, MAT score is accepted by over 700 MBA colleges in India including: Amity University GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research Christ University GITAM Institute of Management JIMS Rohini Jain University Taxila Business School, Jaipur SRM University Birla Institute of Management Technology Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Tezpur University Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India IIFM Bhopal YMCA.
MAT score is valid for admission for the same academic year in which the candidate has taken the exam. For example, MAT 2025 score will be valid for admission for 2025-2026 MBA batch only. If a candidate wishes to drop a year after taking the MAT exam, then they will have to appear for the exam once again next year. They should however check the eligibility or selection criteria to have a clarity of MAT score of which session/phase is valid for admission in which academic year. For example, for 2025 academic session MAT September and MAT December scores will be valid for admission to some MBA colleges who have the admission cycle of January-February. Whereas, colleges who conduct admission in March-May accept MAT February exam scores for admission. To simplify, MAT test takers must not try to use their score for admission more than one year after appearing for it. They should appear for it again and use the latest score for admission.
Since MAT is an entrance exam for post graduate level management courses, the minimum eligibility criteria for MAT exam is graduation. Candidate should have completed graduation in full-time or part-time mode in Arts, Commerce or Science from a recognised university. The eligibility criteria for MAT PBT, CBT and IBT are the same. Final year graduation students who will be giving their final exam or awaiting results are also eligible to appear in MAT. There is no minimum score requirement in MAT. Candidates need to have passing marks in graduation.
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Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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